Stewart admits England are up against it

Leeds, England, August 19: England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart admitted his team faced a tough task if they were to prevent Australia winning the fourth Test here at Headingley and so stop their bid to go 4-0 up in the five match Ashes series.

Australia ended the third day here Saturday on 69 for one, a lead of 207.

Earlier Stewart's unbeaten 76, his best Test score in over a year, had guided England to 309, their highest total of the series.

But the 38-year-old Surrey veteran was under no illusions. "We're obviously behind at the minute," he said.

"They are 207 ahead with nine wickets left on a wicket that is helpful to the taller, quicker bowlers."

"You can bat on it certainly but at the same time you know there are balls that climb and the odd one that keeps low."

"We've got to fight and take early wickets tomorrow. If not the game will certainly go away from us.

"It's going away now but if we can peg them back and then you never know," said Stewart, who watched while Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath took seven for 76.

"We've got to make sure (Andrew) Caddick, (Darren) Gough and (Alan) Mullally, (Alex) Tudor bowl well tomorrow.

"Then when it comes to our turn to bat in the fourth innings we've got to put up a big fight and try to restrict them."

Stewart had to survive a hostile spell from Australia fast bowler Brett Lee, whose pace made a distinct impression.

"As Glenn McGrath said, quite rightly, his (Lee's) strength is his pace," said an admiring Stewart.

"That was a real hostile spell he (Lee) bowled. He took the new ball and came steaming in.

"You think of certain spells by Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Allan Donald, that was up there with them.